Titus (2000)

Considered by many to be Shakespeare's worst play, Titus Andronicus is a bloodthirsty tragedy full of villainous heroes and bottomless revenge--hardly the stuff of big-screen directorial debuts, it would seem. Yet Julie Taymor dives headfirst into moviemaking with Titus, a spectacular adaptation that manages to find beauty and humor in the piles of carnage.

The story begins simply enough by Shakespearean standards: celebrated Roman warrior Titus Andronicus (Anthony Hopkins) returns from a hard-won victory to bury his slain sons and avenge their deaths by killing the eldest son of his enemy, Tamora, queen of the Goths (Jessica Lange). Tamora responds by seducing the impressionable new emperor and setting all of Rome into a downward spiral of revenge, madness, and death.

Taymor, who won a Tony for her Broadway production of The Lion King, throws all her theatrical sensibilities at the story--armies are exquisitely choreographed, blood is shed so beautifully that it hardly seems real, and characters are costumed in symbolic combinations of ancient Roman and 20th-century garb. She plays up the dark comedy at every opportunity, lending a carnival flavor to the story's most gruesome moments. Excellent performances from Hopkins (whose deranged Titus is more than a little reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter), Lange, and the supporting cast help make the endless treachery credible. --Claire Campbell Amazon.com essential video

Titus

Horrible! Hopkins needs to apologize to all viewers and the Director needs to be horse whipped!
I should be refunded my money!! October 24, 2008

Where for art thou Shakespeare?

Julie Taymor's highly stylized, complex vision of "The Lion King" on stage is a testament to her prowess as a power player in the theatrical arena; main issue is it doesn't translate to the highly ambitious, but oftentimes, unintentional insanity that is TITUS.

I have an affinity for Hopkins (who doesn't?), but even he can't save this jumbled flim-flam from the very beginning. The ticker-tape parades, the "Dr. No-esque" costumes of the wannabe emperors, the Goth "teens" obsession with a simpering, unimpressive, slightly *unattractive* (could they put more color into her face please!) Lavinia, were completely unbelievable.

One thing I disagree with several of my fellow Amazonians is the violence in the film. I didn't notice an overabundance of torture, mayhem, and destruction (the end result of Lavinia is the pathetic aspect of that scene with her Uncle Andronicus-but the film doesn't show the Goth sons actually mutilating her). It's violent, but not gratuitous violence (the ending of the film is perhaps the most visually nauseating; be prepared).

The 2 stars are reserved purely for Harry J. Lennix. I've been a fan of his work for a very long time, and to see him get justifiable screen time as THE top villain in a film filled with them is gratifying.
July 8, 2008

Titus - a strange movie

I purchased this expecting something close to an Alexander or some other era movie. It is a modern representation of a Roman time with cars and protests. Its almost a 70's rendition of the Titus character. Its not for eveyone. May 29, 2008

the parts exceed the sum

A beautifully insane presentation of a play full of gullibility, naivete, happenstance, mood swings, and "black rage." The silliness that was late Rome is captured with flair. It may not be a great play but it does give Hopkins plenty of opportunities. Shakespeare on film doesn't get much better than this with excellent use of special effects that have the ring of authenticity. The imagery is the thing and its music is wonderful. March 7, 2008

Insane, Brilliant, Mad

Madness. This is a visually beautiful movie. Just insane, the creativity. Overlooked by many.

A movie in period style would just look campy. Instead, this movie uses props and costumes that fit the STORY in a stylish and beautiful way.

When we drop the need to be historical (hey, we know this is ancient Rome) then additional meaning can be injected using our modern visual metaphors. This ends up more sophisticated and lush.

So the story evokes Hitler, modernism, classical Roman style, the outdoors, and ends up timeless. This is wildly ambitious movie making. What a treat. Also, what a great play. February 24, 2008

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